Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango to Become Part of Centura Health

The board of stewardship trustees of Catholic Health Initiatives voted in favor of the integration of Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango into Centura Health. Centura Health is sponsored by CHI and Adventist Health System. The decision follows a unanimous recommendation from Mercy Regional Medical Center's board of directors and the approval of Centura Health's board of trustees and the senior leadership team of Catholic Health Initiatives. The integration will unite into a single regional structure all CHI hospitals in Colorado.

Based in Englewood, Colo., Centura Health is Colorado's largest health care system. It operates 12 hospitals, seven senior living communities, medical clinics, Flight For Life® Colorado and home care and hospice services, including Mercy Health Foundation, Mercy Home Health and Hospice of Mercy in Durango.

“Mercy Regional Medical Center will now be even more closely connected to the specialized services, technology and expertise of Colorado’s largest health care system,” said Kevin Lofton, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Health Initiatives. “This will provide even higher-quality care to the communities served by Mercy, linking the hospital to integrated services, innovative clinical care and the region’s leading physicians.

By coordinating efforts, Mercy Regional Medical Center and Centura Health will be better able to meet the needs of all Coloradans, according to Gary Campbell, president and CEO of Centura Health. "The integration of Centura Health and Mercy Regional Medical Center facilitates shared best practices, linked systems of care, coordinated growth strategies, and other synergies across the Centura Health network," Campbell said. "This consolidation is consistent with the mission and vision of Centura Health, and the union expands our statewide presence, positioning Centura Health to be better able to meet the needs of the communities we serve," he added.

Mercy's integration into the Centura Health network follows CHI's strategy of regional unification. This integration is similar to what has been done with CHI hospitals in other regions where the system operates, including Kentucky, Nebraska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Dakotas.

"We are pleased to become more closely aligned with the other Catholic Health Initiatives facilities in Colorado," said Kirk Dignum, president and CEO of Mercy Regional Medical Center. "Mercy's integration into Centura Health means that area residents who need specialty care or technology not available locally will have seamless access to a broad network of facilities and specialists that provide the same quality, compassionate care that Mercy is known for."

About Catholic Health Initiatives: CHI is a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Denver. The faith-based system operates in 18 states and includes 72 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted- and residential-living facilities; and two community health-services organizations. Together, those facilities provided $553 million during the 2009 fiscal year in charity care and community benefit, including services for the poor, free clinics, education and research. With annual revenues of $8.6 billion, CHI ranks as the nation’s second-largest Catholic health care system.